Venetian blind



May 146, 1946. L. c. WILLIAMS VENETIAN BLIND Filed Jan. 9, 1945 2Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR L. C. WILLIAMS VENETIAN BLIND May 28, 1946.

i3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 9, 1945 INVENTOR L/JLE C. W/LL/A/wsATTORNEY Patented May 28, 1946 UNITED STATESdPATENT OFFICE I YENETIANBLIND Lisle C. Williams, Memphis, Tenn.

Application January 9, 1945, Serial No. 572,020

7 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in Venetian blinds, andparticularly to a blind of the type which is adapted to be positioned,as in a window frame. with its upper and lower edges in fixed positionand operated by turning movement only, as distinguished from thoseblinds which are also collapsible.

It has particular reference to a blind of this type which preferabl isadapted to be positioned to cover a portion only of the window.

Venetian blinds with their numerous slat surfaces present a cleaningproblem which is quite vexatious. As ordinarily made, with central holesin the slats they must either be laboriously cleaned in place, ordismantled, which may be an even more troublesome operation. Removal ofthe individual slats has, therefore, been given much attention andvarious devices have been attempted which will permit such removal. Edgenotches have been tried, but these, while efiective with the slats inhorizontal position, are usually ineffective in closed position,particularly with the extremely thin slats now much used.

The objects of the invention are, primarily to solve this slatpositioning and removal problem,

, and include:

Providing in a Venetian blind which includes a structure for shiftablysupporting a plurality of slats, individual slats which when in placeand in any and all positions of shift, engage the structure tosubstantially prevent their displacement longitudinally, and which areso constituted that they may be individually removed, as for cleaning,and replaced without disturbing or dismantling the supporting structure;

Providing novel means through which the slat supporting structure andthe blind as a whole may be expeditiously and firmly supported inposition, as in -a window, yet ma be readily removed therefrom, andwhich will permit manual operation of the blind to turn the slats fromfully open to closed, or substantially closed position, and willaccomplish the latching of the blind in closed position.

The means by which these and other objects are accomplished, and themethod of their accomplishment, will readily be understood from thefollowing specification upon reference to the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a fragmentary 1 portion of a slatshowing the manner in which the slat is formed to accomplish theprevention of longitudinal displacement.

Fig. 2 is a corresponding cross section of the blind, taken as on theline IIII of Figs. 1, 11

and 12, showing a typical slat in horizontal and fully open position.

Figs. 3 and 4 are views, taken on the same line, V

respectively showing the slat turned in opposite direction to closedposition.

Figs. 5, 6 and '7 are views corresponding to Figs. 2, 3, and 4, showinga modified form of slat which cooperates with the supporting cross tapeto accomplish. positioning.

Fig. 8 is a view of a fragmentary portion of a slat showing the cut madein the blind preparatory to forming ears thereon; and

Fig. 9 a corresponding fragmentary view showing a modified form of thecut and tongues.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary section taken on the line X-X of Fig. 5.

Fig. 11 i a plan view of one of the slats.

' Fig. 12 is a plan view on a larger scale, taken as on the line XII-XIIof Figs. 2 and 13, showing an end portion of a slat.

Fig. 13 is a front view of the completed blind in place.

Fig. 14 is an enlarged view of an end portion of the top member of theblind and a supporting bracket and latch member therefor.

Fig. 15 is a corresponding end view.

Fig. 16 is a view similar to Fig. 14 of the corresponding end portion ofthe lower bar and a supporting bracket therefor; and

Fig. 1'7 the corresponding end view, this latter bracket and bar endbeing typical of all the supporting brackets except the latchingbracket.

Referring now to the drawings in which the various parts are indicatedby numerals:

H is a window frame in which is disposed a typical Venetian blindcomprising primarily upper and lower bars l3 and I5, slats l1, and slatsupporting side tapes 19, 2|, in pairs, which are attached securely tothe upper and under sides of the upper and lower bars respectively.

23 are the usual staggered cross tapes which extend from side tape toside tape and support the slats I1. 25 and 26 are cords which alsoextend from top bar to bottom bar and are secured respectively to theupper and lower surfaces of these bars, the cord 25 underlying one ofthe tapes I!) along one edge of the'slat and the cord 26 underlying theopposite one of the tapes 20 along the opposite edge of the slat. Theslats II are of thin sheet metal, plastic, or other suitable material,arcuately curved in cross section. to secure stiffness longitudinally,and are each provided with a notch 21 extending inwardly from one edgeand positioned to lie behind one of the side tapes IS in engagement withthe cord is therebehind. and adiacentthe opposite. end oi the slat witha notch 29 extending inwardly from the opposite edge of the slat andadapted to engage the cord 20 underlying the opposite one of the sidetapes 2 i.

The notches, as the notch 21, are upwardly flanged on their oppositesides, the flanges II being preferably formed by making a hole 33 in theslat, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9, and cutting or slitting outwardly fromsuch hole preferably along curved lines, and bending upward the flangeblanks "A about the dotted lines 35 in these views. The notch 29adjacent the other end of the slot is provided with similar flanges 81,the idea and intent of the flanges being that when the slats are turnedtoward vertical position, as to the position I 1A, of Fig. 3,dislodgement of the cord 25 from the notch 21, which would eventually beaccomplished by the curvature of the slat, is prevented by the flanges3i, and when oppositely turned, as in Fig. 4, to the position "3,dislodgement of the cord 26 from the opposite notch 29. is prevented bythe flanges 31.

Figs. 5, 6 and 7 disclose a modified form of the structure, in which thecords may be omitted and are not shown, and in which notches 4| areformed which are located relatively to the ends and edges of the slatsIIC, as before, but the flanges 43, 43A thereof are downwardly turnedfor engagement with the cross tapes 23A. In this form of the device, thenotches, as the notch 41, Fig. 9, are of the width of the cross tapes,the flanges extending straight downward if desired, but preferably, asin Fig. 10, they are inwardly inclined to erect tape engagement.

In both forms shown, the slats are shown turned with their centerstransversely arching upward, but it will readily, be understood that,though not usually done, the slats might instead be downwardly arched,in which case the flanges would, however, be oppositely formed withreference to their arching, but would in use still extend upwardly ordownwardly, as the case might The brackets 45 each include a seatportion 49, having screw holes 5| permitting attachment to the windowframe. and an outwardly extending portion 53, and may be of Z shape withthe portion 53 oif-set from the base portion and parallel therewith.Portion 53 is provided with a circular hole 55 which is adapted toreceive and oscillatably mount a pin 51 secured in and extending fromthe end of the bar, as the bar l3. Extending portion of pin 51 is flatand turned transversely to the bar, so that when the bar lies flat theflattened pin is vertical. Extending from the hole 55 is a horizontalslot 59 of size to allow the pin when turned to horizontal to be slidinto the hole.

The bracket 41, similarly includes a seat portion 6i, having screw holes63, permitting attachment to the window frame, and an outwardlyextending portion 65, and may be of Z shape with the portion 85 off-setfrom the base portion and parallel therewith. Portion 65 is providedwitha vertically disposed substantially round hole 51, and below andspaced from said hole, carries a projecting latch pin 59.

Projecting from the bar end is a pivot pin II which is oscillatablyjoumalled in the hole 61. This pin may project through, .or be carriedby and project from a latch plate 13 secured to the bar end as by screws15. Plate 13, below and outward from the sides of the bar, has arcuatenotches 11 adapted for latching engagement"wi th=the latch pint" whenthe bar is oscillated on the-pivot pin -Il.- I! are camming approachesto the notches'll whichraise the 'bar, and the pivot pin II in the slot61, as the bar is turned toward latching-engagement.

opposite sides of the window frame at the desired bottom level of theblind and one each of brackets 45 and 41 spaced thereabove to conform tothe blind height, care being taken to make the spacing such that whenthe blind is installed the tapes I! and 2| will be taut, the cord 25 and28, if used, also being taut.

Pin H of the top bar I3 is engaged with bracket 41 and pin 51 with topbracket 45, and if the slats I! are in place, the pins 51 of the lowerbar l5 are engaged with the lower brackets 45. If slats H are not inplace, the engagement of the top bar only is made, the blind is allowedto hang down, and the bars are turned to level. The slats, preferablybeginning with the bottom slat, are inserted, one by one between theside tapes i9 and 2!, with each slat supported by a pair of cross tapesand thereafter, the bottom bar engagement with the brackets is made.With the side tapes taut the slats are shifted until the notches 21 and29, and their flanges 3!, 31, if upwardly turned, engage the cords 25and 26, or if the flanges 43 are turned downward, engage the cross tapes23, in either case completing the installation.

In use, the upper bar l3 or lower bar I5, as most convenient. is turnedto level position if blind is to be open, or tilted in either directionto effect closure. When tilted almost to closure, one or the other ofthe approach cam 19 engages latch pin 89, raising the bar i3 sumcientlyto allow engagement of the related notch TI with the pin and effectlatching engagement.

In the form shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, tilting in one direction causesthe upwardly extending flanges 3| to turn outward, as in Fig. 3, andmaintain notch engagement withthe cord 25, preventing longitudinaldisplacement of the slat, or if oppositely shifted, as in Fig. 4, causesoutward projection of the flanges 31, maintaining similar engagementwith the cord 25.

In the forms shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7, the downwardly extending flanges43 maintain engagement of the slat with the cross tapes 23, in levelposition and with one or the other thereof in shifted position,similarly preventing longitudinal displacement.

I claim:

1.'A Venetian blind which includes top and bottom bars, meansoscillatably supporting said bars at fixed distance apart, a pair ofladders attached at their upper and lower ends to said bars, and aplurality of slats carried by said ladders and oscillatable with saidbars; each said slat comprising a thin sheet-like strip of elasticmaterial, as metal, arcuately curved in cross section to effectlongitudinal stiffness, and spanning from ladder to ladder, said slatsat one said ladder being inwardly cut from one side edge and at theothersaid ladder from the opposite side edge to outline at each cut apair of substantially identical flange blanks, and said blanks bent withrespect to one surface of said slat about parallel lines at right anglesto the edges of said slat to establish notches having flanged edgesadapted to cooperate with said ladders to restrain longitudinaldisplacement of said slats in an position of oscillation.

2. A Venetian blind which includes top and bottom bars, meansoscillatably supporting said bars at a fixed distance apart, a pair ofladders attached at their upper and lower ends to said bars, each ladderincluding a pair of side tapes and a plurality of rung tapes, a pair ofcords attached at their upper and lower ends to said bars on oppositesides thereof and each underlying one of said side tapes, and aplurality of slats carried by the rungs of said ladders and oscillatablewith said bars; each said slat comprising a thin sheetlike strip ofelastic material, as metal, arcuately curved in cross section to effectlongitudinal stiffness, and spanning from ladder to ladder, said slatsat one said-tape and cord being inwardly cut from one side edge, and atthe other said end cord,v from the opposite side edge to outline at eachcut a pair of substantially identical flange blanks, and said blanksbent upward with respect to the surfaces of the associated slats aboutparallel lines at right angles to the edges of said slats to establishnotches having flanged edges adapted to engage said cords and restrainlongitudinal displacement of said slats in any position of oscillation.

3. A Venetian blind which includes top and bottom bars, meansoscillatably supporting said bars at a fixed distance apart, a pair ofladders attached at their upper and lower endsv to said bars, saidladders including cross rungs, and a plurality of slats carried by thecross rungs of said ladders and oscillatable with said bars; each saidslat comprising a thin sheet-dike strip of elastic material, as metal,arcuately curved in cross section to effect longitudinal stiffness, andspanning from ladder tape to ladder tape, said slats at one said ladderbeing inwardly cut from one side edge and at the other said ladder fromthe opposite side edge to outline at each cut a pair of substantiallyidentical flange blanks, and said blanks bent downward with respect tothe surfaces of the associated slats about parallel lines at rightangles to the edges of said slats to establish notches having flangededges adapted to engage said cross rungs and rest'rai longitudinaldisplacement of said slats in any position of cillation.

4. In a Venetian blind having a pair of ladders including slatsupporting rungs, a strip-like slat of thin sheet metal arcuately curvedin cross section to provide longitudinal stiffness, said slat at -saidrungs being inwardly and oppositely cut from opposite'side edgesthereof, to outline at each said rung, a facing pair of flange blanks,said blanks being bent downward from the surface of said slat alonglines at right angles to said edges to establish flanged notches adaptedfor engagement with said rungs.

5. In a Venetian blind having a pair of ladders including slatsupporting rungs, a strip-like slat of thin sheet metal arcuately curvedin cross sec tion to provide longitudinal stiffness, said slat a saidrungs being inwardly and oppositely out from opposite side edgesthereof, to outline at eacl said rung a facing 'pair of flange blanks,sai blank being bent downward at an angle substantially less than aright angle to the surfaces of said slat, along lines at right angles tosaid edges, spaced to establish notches having integral flanges alongits opposite sides for engagement along and undersaid rungs.

6. In a Venetian blind whcih includes top and bottom bars, having pivotpins projecting respectively from opposite ends thereof, and laddersattached at their upper and lower ends to said bars, bracketsoscillatably journalling the pins of said bars, one said bracket forsaid top bar having a vertically disposed oblong hole forming the pinjournal therein and carrying below and spaced from said hole, a rigidlymounted latch pin extending into underlying relation with the adjacentend of said bar; said bar end having secured thereon a flat membernotched adjacent the side edges of said bar for latchingengagement withsaid latch pin on oscillation of said bar, and approach surfaces on saidmember adjacent said notches in the approach path to said latch pineffective to upwardly displace said bar end and its pivot pin during theapproach oscillation.

7. In a Venetian blind which includes top and bottom bars, having pivotpins projecting respectively from opposite ends thereof, and laddersattached at their upper and lower ends to said bars, brackets eachhaving a hole therein oscillatably journalling a said pin, the said holeof one said bracket for said top bar being oblong and verticallydisposed, and said bracket carrying below and spaced from said hole, arigidly mounted latch pin extending into and underlying relation withthe adjacent end of said bar, said bar end having secured thereon a fiatmember notched adjacent the side edges of said bar for latchingengagement with said latch pin on oscillation of said bar, and approachsurfaces on said member adjacent said notches in the approach path tosaid latch pin efiective to upwardly displace said bar end and its pivotpin during the approach oscillation, the opposite end of said top barand one end of said bottom bar having flattened pivot pins and therelated said brackets therefor, having each a slot adapted to permitinsertion of its said pin edgewise leading into its said holesubstantially at right angles to the position said pin occupies whensaid top and bottom bars are horizontally disposed.

LISLE C. WILLIAMS.

